Free Guide: Am I Just Anxious… or Is It ADHD?
Feel scattered, overwhelmed, or like your brain never slows down—but still can’t seem to get things done?
You’re not lazy or broken. You might be caught in the middle of anxiety and ADHD. This free, therapist-created guide will help you:
✅ Understand how anxiety and ADHD can overlap (especially in women and teens)
✅ Learn what’s happening in your nervous system and why you feel stuck
✅ Discover tools to feel calmer, more focused, and more like you
✨ Created by Cara Cancio, LCSW — a St. Petersburg-based therapist who helps women and teens navigate ADHD, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and self-worth with compassion and clarity.
Feel Calmer. Focus Better. Come Back to Yourself.
Living with anxiety or ADHD can feel like your mind and body are always stuck in overdrive. Whether it’s racing thoughts, emotional overwhelm, or the constant pressure to keep up—you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. You just need support that understands the way your brain works.
You Deserve to Feel Calm, Focused, and Like Yourself Again—Let’s Work Toward That Together.
Living with anxiety or ADHD doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means your nervous system is working overtime just to keep up. When your thoughts won’t slow down, your focus disappears, and even small tasks feel like mountains, it’s easy to start believing something’s wrong with you. But the truth is, you’re not broken. You’re just overwhelmed—and therapy can help.
Whether you’ve been stuck in a cycle of overthinking, losing hours to distraction, or trying to manage the stress of “holding it all together,” our approach to therapy is here to support you. We help teens and adults untangle the overwhelm, reconnect with themselves, and build practical tools to navigate life with more clarity and ease.
At Sunshine City Counseling, you don’t have to mask, perform, or explain away your struggles. You just get to be human—and supported.
Let’s start with a free consult and find a way forward that actually works for you.
You're Not Alone If You've Experienced…
Anxiety That Takes Over Your Life
Generalized Anxiety: Constant worry and "what if" thoughts that hijack your entire day
Social Anxiety: Fear of being judged, saying the wrong thing, or just being "too much"
Panic Attacks: Sudden waves of overwhelming fear, racing heart, and feeling like you can't breathe
High-Functioning Anxiety: Looking put-together on the outside while feeling like you're barely holding it together inside
Perfectionism: The exhausting pressure to never mess up or disappoint anyone
ADHD That Makes Everything Harder
Executive Dysfunction: Struggling to start tasks, stay organized, or follow through on commitments
Time Blindness: Always running late, underestimating how long things take, or losing track of time completely
Emotional Dysregulation: Intense emotions that feel impossible to manage or control
Rejection Sensitivity: Taking criticism or perceived slights deeply to heart
Hyperfocus vs. No Focus: Either being completely absorbed in something or unable to concentrate at all
The Overlap That Nobody Talks About
Many people with ADHD also struggle with anxiety—and they feed off each other. Your ADHD brain might create chaos that triggers anxiety, while anxiety makes it even harder to focus and get things done. It's a frustrating cycle, but it's also completely treatable with the right support.
Signs You Might Benefit from Therapy for Anxiety or ADHD
You may be feeling:
Constantly overwhelmed, even by “simple” tasks
On edge, with a racing mind and tense body
Unable to focus, plan, or follow through
Exhausted from masking or “keeping it together”
Emotionally reactive or shut down
Like you’re too much—or not enough
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place. Therapy can help you slow down, build tools, and reconnect with yourself.
Real Stories from Real Clients
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"I've seen a few counselors in the area and was very lucky to meet Cara. Her approach was different from the ones I have previously met and she is always flexible with her schedule. She knows how to make you see things from a different perspective and you can always count on moving forward with her."
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"Cara has years of experience working with all different kinds of people with mental health issues. She wears her heart on her sleeve and listens and implements strategies to help others cope. Her can-do attitude helps patients look at the brighter side of life."
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I have seeing a few counselors in the area and was very lucky to meet Cara, her approach was different from the ones I have previously met and she is always flexible with her schedule, she knows how to make you see things from a different perspective and you can always count on moving forward with her. This is not just a conversation with someone, Cara remembers everything from our first session till now, and she provide input all the time and makes sure you are following the right steps to keep pushing forward. Thank you ma'am for all your help.
google review
How Anxiety & ADHD Therapy in St. Petersburg Can Transform Your Life
Right now, it might feel like anxiety and ADHD are running the show—making simple tasks feel overwhelming, hijacking your thoughts, and leaving you exhausted. But with specialized therapy, you can take your life back.
What You Can Expect:
Calm Your Nervous System: Learn practical tools to shift out of fight-or-flight mode so you're not constantly on edge
Manage Your ADHD Brain: Develop systems and strategies that work WITH your brain, not against it
Break the Anxiety-ADHD Cycle: Understand how these conditions interact and learn to interrupt the patterns that keep you stuck
Build Emotional Regulation: Stop feeling overwhelmed by big emotions and learn to respond rather than react
Improve Focus and Organization: Create structures that support your ADHD brain without adding more pressure
Boost Self-Esteem: Release the shame and self-judgment that often comes with having an "invisible" condition
Cara's Approach to Anxiety & ADHD Therapy
Cara doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Her approach to anxiety and ADHD therapy in St. Petersburg is collaborative, holistic, and tailored specifically to you.
Evidence-Based Techniques That Actually Work:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that fuel anxiety and ADHD struggles
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Build emotional regulation and distress tolerance for overwhelming moments
Mindfulness & Somatic Awareness: Learn to calm your nervous system and reconnect with your body
Strengths-Based Counseling: Focus on what's RIGHT with you, even when everything feels wrong
Art Therapy & Creative Expression: Process emotions when words feel limiting or overwhelming
Why This Approach Works:
Unlike therapists who might treat anxiety and ADHD as separate issues, Cara understands how they're connected. She helps you see the bigger picture while giving you practical tools you can use immediately. Her therapy isn't just about coping—it's about thriving.
Counselor in St. Petersburg, Fl
Cara Cancio
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Individual Therapy for Anxiety, ADHD, and Emotional Overwhelm in St. Petersburg, FL
At Sunshine City Counseling, Cara Cancio brings something unique to anxiety and ADHD therapy in St. Petersburg: she's been exactly where you are. As someone who has personally navigated ADHD, anxiety, and the shame that often comes with both, Cara understands the daily struggles you face—not just from textbooks, but from lived experience.
Cara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in anxiety and ADHD therapy for teens (16+), young adults, and women in St. Petersburg, FL. Her approach is warm, down-to-earth, and refreshingly real. She won't give you cookie-cutter solutions or make you feel like another case study. Instead, she'll meet you exactly where you are and help you build the tools you need to thrive.
Why Cara's Different:
Personal Understanding: She's navigated her own ADHD and anxiety journey, bringing authentic empathy to every session
Holistic Approach: Combines evidence-based therapy with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and creative expression
No Judgment Zone: Creates a space where you can be completely yourself without fear of being "too much"
Practical Tools: Focuses on strategies that actually work in real life, not just in therapy sessions
Start Therapy For Anxiety and ADHD
Schedule Your Free Consultation
No pressure, no sales pitch—just a genuine conversation about what you're going through and how we can help. This is your chance to ask questions, share what's been happening, and see if Cara feels like the right fit.
Connect With Cara
Once you're scheduled, you'll meet with Cara either in our comfortable St. Petersburg area office or through a secure online session. She'll listen without judgment and help you understand how therapy can support your specific goals.
Start Your Therapy Journey
This is where real change starts to happen. Together, you'll explore what's keeping you stuck and begin building the tools, strategies, and inner calm that will transform how you navigate anxiety and ADHD.
What Makes Our Mental Health Clinic in St. Petersburg, Fl Different
Private Pay Practice (No Insurance Hassles)
We're a private pay practice, which means:
No insurance limitations on the type or frequency of therapy you receive
Complete confidentiality—no diagnosis required to be shared with insurance companies
Flexible session scheduling that works with your life
Superbills provided for potential out-of-network reimbursement
HSA/FSA accepted for convenient payment
Convenient Location Serving All of St. Petersburg
Our therapy office is conveniently located in South Pasadena, FL easily accessible from:
Downtown St. Petersburg
Northeast St. Petersburg
Pinellas Park
Gulfport
Treasure Island
And surrounding Pinellas County areas
We also offer secure online therapy sessions for clients throughout Florida who prefer the convenience and comfort of virtual appointments.
Who Does Cara Work With?
If your mind feels like it never shuts off, if you're constantly juggling responsibilities while second-guessing yourself, or if you just feel like you're always on edge—Cara gets it. She works with:
Teens (16+) and adults who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, burnout, or constant self-doubt
Women navigating life transitions, people-pleasing, or the pressure to “do it all”
Young adults struggling with focus, follow-through, and ADHD-related stress
Those who mask well on the outside but feel like they’re falling apart inside
People stuck in cycles of perfectionism, emotional reactivity, or shame
Cara creates a safe space where you don’t have to explain away your exhaustion or hide the messy parts. Her down-to-earth, relatable style makes therapy feel less clinical and more like finally being understood. You’ll work at your pace, on what matters most, and find practical tools that actually help you feel more calm, clear, and connected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
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We are a private pay practice and do not accept insurance directly. However, we provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients also use HSA or FSA cards for payment.
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Our session fees range from $75-$165 depending on the therapist. Cara's sessions are competitively priced within this range. We believe quality mental health care should be accessible, which is why we offer a free consultation to ensure we're the right fit before you invest.
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Yes! We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy sessions for clients throughout Florida. Many of our clients find online sessions just as effective as in-person therapy, with the added convenience of attending from home.
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Every person's journey is different. Some clients see improvements in just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. During your free consultation, we'll discuss your goals and what timeline might work best for you.
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That's completely normal! Many people come to therapy knowing something feels "off" but aren't sure exactly what it is. Cara can help you understand your symptoms and, if needed, provide referrals for formal assessments.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
You don't have to keep struggling with anxiety and ADHD alone. You don't have to keep pretending everything is fine when you're falling apart inside. And you definitely don't have to wait until things get "bad enough" to deserve support.
Cara Cancio is here to help you navigate this journey with compassion, expertise, and real understanding. Take the first step toward feeling calmer, more focused, and genuinely like yourself again.
Serving St. Petersburg, South Pasadena, Northeast St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Gulfport, Treasure Island, and surrounding areas in Pinellas County, Florida. Online therapy available throughout Florida.
Visit Our Mental Health Clinic in St. Pete
Physical Address: 1615 Pasadena Ave Suite #330 South Pasadena, FL 33707
Hours
Monday–Friday 9am–8pm
Phone
(727)-940-9538
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